Earth Day Network
 Urban Environment Report: How Does Your City Perform?
 
CITY ENVIRONMENT DATA
Portland, Maine
State Maine
City Portland**
County1 Cumberland
City Population (2005)2 64,249 5.0% of state population
City Population Rank in United States, largest 50 Cities (2005) (Not Available)
City Population Rank in Urban Environment Report (2005) 68** (of 72 in EDN study)
City Population Rank in State (2005) 1
City Size Classification - Population Very Small
City Size Classification - Population Density Medium Low Density
State Capitol City Augusta
State Population (2005)2 1,283,673
 
 
CIVIC LEADERSHIP INFORMATION
Mayor Name (as of 1/1/2007) Nicholas Mavodones, Jr.
Mayor/City Website (as of 1/1/2007) http://www.ci.portland.me.us/
Mayor/City Contact (as of 1/1/2007) 207-874-8941
Mayor Political Affiliation (as of 1/1/2007) Non-Partisan
Next General Mayoral Election Tuesday, November 3, 2009
US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement as of 10/18/06 Yes
State Governor Name John Baldacci
State/Governor Website http://www.state.me.us/
State/Governor Contact Information 207-287-1034
State/Governor Party Affiliation Democrat
State Governor Current Term Ends January 1, 2011
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Note: All rank information is out of 72 cities, though not all may have reported in every category.
1 is the 'best' (least polluting, most tree cover, etc) and 72 is the 'worst'.
 

(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
 
EDN VULNERABLE POPULATION INDEX (EDN VPI) 1.21    
Vulnerable Population Estimate 14.3%    
     Disability Status 20.4% 59  
     Emphysema 1.38% 68  
     Cardiovascular Disease 27.11% 69  
     Diabetes 5.78% 69  
     Pediatric Asthma 8.43% 7  
     Adult Asthma 10.13% 68  
     Adult Obesity 19.0%   13
     People Without Health Insurance 10.5%   5
     Age: Children under 5 years 5.1% 3  
     Age: 65 years and over 13.9% 66  
     Not Literate (Adult Level 1 Literacy) 14.0% 11  
     Adults without High School Degree (or higher) 11.7% 61  
     High School Drop-Out Rate 53.9% 18  
     Unemployed (Civilian Labor Force) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
     Individuals Below Poverty 14.1% 24  
     Children (under 18 years old) Below Poverty 20% 31  
     Free or Reduced Lunch 35.3% 12  
     Other Languages Spoken at Home (primary language is not English) 9.9% 21  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
1 • TOXICS & WASTE     (metadata) (score) 2.2    
Overall Toxics Rank Average 20.9 (of 51) 18  
Cumulative Cancer-Causing Chemical Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 17,200,107 pounds   20
Cumulative Developmental Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 9,082,021 pounds 16
Cumulative Reproductive Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 2,104,784 pounds 23
Cumulative Suspected Neurological Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 120,096,370 pounds 16
Cumulative Suspected Respiratory Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 143,443,873 pounds 17
Dioxin Releases by State (grams in 2000) 14.9 grams 18
Number of Superfund Sites in County 2 sites 37  
Municipal Solid Waste Generation, tons per person (1997) 0.784 tons per person 9
Recycling Rate (1997) 41.0% 5
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Generated by State (2004) 1,939,547 tons 13
Municipal Solid Waste Generated Per Capita by State, tons/person (2004) 1.5 tons/person 40
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 668,232 tons 31
% Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 34.5% 12
% Municipal Solid Waste to Waste-to-Energy (2004) 19.1% 8
% Change in Municipal Solid Waste Generated (1997 to 2004) 91.3% 47
% Change in State Recycling Rate (1997 to 2004) -15.9% 29
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
2 • AIR QUALITY     (metadata) (score)    1.7***    
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Released, Tons in 2002 2,000 tons   5
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) Released, Tons in 2002 1,200 tons   4
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Released, Tons in 2002 5,784,600 tons   6
Mercury Released, Pounds in 2002 0.0 pounds   1
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2001-2003) 4.5 days 26  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2001 - 2003) 0.3 PM2.5 8  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2001 - 2003) 11.7 PM2.5 28  
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2002 - 2004) 1.7 days 22  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2002 - 2004) 0.0 PM2.5 1  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2002 - 2004) 11.7 PM2.5 29  
EPA Ambient Carbon Monoxide (CO) (8-hr ppm) 1 ppm 1  
EPA Ambient Lead (PB) Q Max (ug/m3) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
EPA Mean Ambient Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2 ppm) 0.017 ppm 23  
EPA Larger Particle (PM10) 24-hr (ug/m3) 26 ug/m3 24  
EPA Mean Ambient Sulfur Dioxide (SO2 ppm) 0.003 ppm 15  
EPA Days over 100 AQI (Warning Level) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
3 • DRINKING & SURFACE WATER     (metadata) (score)    1.5***    
DRINKING WATER QUALITY
Tap Water Quality & Compliance Grade (Not Available) ---  
Right to Know Report, What's in your Tap Water Grade (Not Available) ---  
Drinking Water Source Protection Grade (Not Available) ---  
WATERSHED & RESOURCES
Watershed Name Presumpscot ---  
# of Units in Watershed 59 units 29  
# of Assessed Watershed Units 39 units 26  
# of Threatened & Impaired Watershed Units 31 units 40  
% of Watershed Units Assessed as Impaired or Threatened 79.5% 40  
% of Watershed Units Not Assessed 33.9% 47  
U.S. Census Annual Rainfall, inches (1961-1990) 44.34 inches 17  
Water Area Total, square miles 2,876 square miles 28  
Water Area Inland, square miles 2,263 square miles 23  
Water Area Coastal, square miles 613 square miles 10  
Water Area Great Lakes, square miles 0 square miles 10  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Station Portland ---  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Length of record in years 58 years 22  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Annual 129 days 10  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Station Portland ---  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Length of record in years 58 years 21  
Snow & Ice Pellets, Annual inches (thru 1998) 70.7 inches 3  
WATER WITHDRAWN
Water Withdrawn - Total, gallons/day 326,000,000 gallons/day 71  
Fresh Water Withdrawn - Per capita, gallons/day 178,000,000 gallons/day 70  
Ground water, gallons/day 80,000,000 gallons/day 69  
Surface water, gallons/day 246,000,000 gallons/day 70  
Irrigation, gallons/day 27,000,000 gallons/day 59  
Public Supply, gallons/day 135,000,000 gallons/day 63  
Industrial, gallons/day 16,000,000 gallons/day 68  
Thermo-Electric, gallons/day 136,000,000 gallons/day 56  
Fresh Water Consumption, gallons/day 48,000,000 gallons/day 67  
WATER POLLUTION
Water Supplier Greater Portland Water District ---  
Number of People Served by Water Supplier 113,560 people 66  
Year(s) Included in Summary 1998-2002 ---  
Total Contaminants Detected 12 contaminants 17  
Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected 1 contaminant 6  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected 1 contaminant 6  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Industrial Pollutants Detected 5 contaminants 15  
Industrial Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected 6 contaminants 34  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected 5 contaminants 18  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
WATER HEALTH & TESTING SUMMARY
Contaminants in Tap Water 12 contaminants 17  
Contaminants in Tap Water, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Contaminants Reported as Tested by this Water Supplier 156 contaminants 14  
Contaminants with Federal Legal Limit in Tap Water 73 contaminants ---  
Regulated Contaminants Tested 127 contaminants 13  
Unregulated Contaminants Tested 29 contaminants 20  
WATER VIOLATION SUMMARY
Total Violations 0 violations 1  
Health Violations 0 violations 1  
Monitoring Violations 0 violations 1  
Reporting Violations 0 violations 1  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
4 • QUALITY OF LIFE (SITES4)     (metadata) (score)    2.6***    
DENSITY & SPRAWL
Population Density, people per square mile of land area 3,029.2 people per square mile 39  
Housing Density, units per square mile of land area 1,502.2 housing units per square mile 30  
TRANSPORTATION
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2000) 18.7 minutes 13  
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2004) 18.7 minutes 15  
Means of Transportation - % Carpool (2000) 10.8% 62  
Means of Transportation - % Public (2000) 4.4% 35  
Means of Transportation - % Walk or Bike (2000) 10.0% 7  
Means of Transportation - % Work @ Home (2000) 3.6% 13  
Cost of Living: Transportation, % of National Average 104.6 40  
Motor Vehicle Registrations per 100 Residents (2003) 82.0 MV registrations   20
% Change in Motor Vehicle Registrations (1980 to 2003) 45.3%   28
Motor Vehicle Registrations - Autos Only per 100 Residents (2003) 48.2 MV registrations   31
Motor Vehicle Registrations per Licensed Driver (2003) 1.13 MV registrations   19
Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 22,693 miles   9
Total State Highway Mileage, Estimated % of Land Area (2003) 0.167%   11
Urban Highway Mileage, % of Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 11.6%   39
Total Highway Mileage per Licensed Driver (2003) 0.02 miles   28
Total Highway Mileage per Motor Vehicle Registration (2003) 21.57 miles   29
State $ Disbursements for Highways (2003) $579,000,000   11
State $ Disbursements for Highways, per highway mile (2003) $25,514 per mile   28
% Change in State Disbursements for Highways (1995 to 2003) 52.8%   22
Annual Person Hours of Delay, per person (2003) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Annual Congestion Cost, $ per person (2003) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Annual Congestion Delay and Fuel Cost (2003) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Fuel Wasted, gallons per person (2003) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
INCOME & EMPLOYMENT
Median Household Income (2004) $35,650 50  
Median Household Income (2000) $35,650 47  
Per capita income (2004) $22,698 31  
Per capita Personal Income (2000) $22,698 16  
% of Families Below Poverty Level (2004) 9.7% 20  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (1999) 14.1% 27  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (2004) 14.1% 24  
% of Households with Public Assistance Income (2000) 5.4% 46  
% of Children Under 18 Years Old Below Poverty Level (1999) 20.0% 31  
People In the Labor Force, Unemployed (2005) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
% of the Civilian Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2000) 3.3% 14  
% of the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000) 4.8% 14  
% Change in the Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
% Change in the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
State Minimum Wage Laws (2006) Higher Than Federal ---  
State Minimum Wage Rates (2006) $6.50 per hour 19  
EDUCATION
# of School Age Kids K-12 (ages 5 to 17) 8,767 kids (0.7% of total pop.) 70  
Largest School District Enrollment 7,781 kids (0.6% of total pop.) 69  
% on Free or Reduced Lunch 35.3% 12  
Cumulative Promotion Index (CPI) Graduation Rate 46.1% 52  
Level of Education: % with High School Degree or Higher (2004) 88.3% 12  
Level of Education: % with Bachelor's Degree or Higher (2004) 36.4% 15  
Adult Level 1 Literacy Rate 14% 11  
State School Bus Efficiency (2002) Middle of the Road   ---
State School Bus Soot Pollution Grade B   ---
State School Bus Cleanup Program Rank (2006) Above Average   ---
State School Bus Smog Pollution Rank (2006) Above Average   ---
HOUSING & COST OF LIVING
Occupied Housing Units (2004) 29,714 units 68  
% of Owner Occupied Housing 57.5% 10  
Cost of Living: Housing 122.4 49  
Cost of Living: Utilities 150.8 71  
Cost of Living: Miscellaneous 104.5 52  
Cost of Living: Overall 114.3 50  
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Voter Turnout in the Election of November 2004 73.40%   3
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2002 Election 56.80%   6
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2004 Election 70.10%   3
State Volunteering Rate: 2002-2005 Combined 32.7%   16
SAFETY/SECURITY
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 5,086.0 incidents per 100,000 people 18  
Violent Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 395.7 incidents per 100,000 people 11  
Property Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 4,690.3 incidents per 100,000 people 22  
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2003) 5,087.1 incidents per 100,000 people 17  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
5 • PARKS & RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES     (metadata) (score)    3.0***    
Average # of Parks, per square mile (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Average Area Dedicated to Parks, per city square mile (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Park Area per 1000 Residents, acres (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Parkland as % of City Area (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Adjusted Park Spending, per resident (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Total City Tree Canopy % 25.3% 12  
Total City Urbanized Area % 52.5% 25  
Park Programs to Assist Low-Income Park Users (Not Available) ---  
Disability Advisory Committees (Not Available) ---  
Collection of Data on Crime in Parks (Not Available) ---  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
6 • HUMAN & PUBLIC HEALTH     (metadata) (score) 3.0    
Pediatric Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 8.43% 7
Adult Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 10.13% 68
Chronic Bronchitis, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 3.35% 69
Emphysema, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 1.38% 68
Cardiovascular Disease, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 27.11% 69
Diabetes, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 5.78% 69  
% of Adults with Obesity (2001) 19.0% 13
Change in % of Adults with Obesity (1991-2001) 6.9% 7
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1992 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1992) 10%-14% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1997 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1997) 15%-19% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (2003) 15%-19% ---
% of Adults Lacking Healthcare Insurance, ages 18 - 65 (2001) 15.0% 36
Infant Mortality Rate (2002) 4.4% 1
Number of Cancer Deaths per 100,000 people (2002) 214.2 46
Cost of Living: Health 108.9 40  
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2003-04 Average) 10.2% 3
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2004-05 Average) 10.5% 5
Rate of Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 2.9% 36
Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 0.2% 30
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farms 8 farms 37
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farmers' Markets 11 markets 29
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Restaurants 1 restaurant 28
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Groceries 2 grocery stores 26
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Other 3 other sources 24
Cost of Living: Food 101.0 30
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Men (1999-2003) 73.1% 30
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Women (1999-2003) 50.1% 61
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
7 • GLOBAL WARMING CLIMATE CHANGE     (metadata) (score) 2.7    
Mini-Kyoto Participant, US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (as of 10/18/06) Yes ---
Number of State and Local Net Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Programs 1 program   13
Net Metering No Net Metering   ---
Net Metering Residential Size Limit 100 kW   6
Net Metering Commercial Size Limit 100 kW   9
Completed Climate Action Plans Completed State Climate Action Plan   ---
Regional Initiatives Yes   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Inventories Yes   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Reporting & Registries Yes   ---
States with Public Benefit Funds Funds Support Energy Efficiency   ---
States with Renewable Portfolio Standards 30%   2
Date set for Renewable Portfolio Standards 2000   1
States with Green Pricing Programs None   ---
States with Renewable Energy Credit Tracking Systems Yes   ---
States with Mandates and Incentives Promoting Ethanol Exercises Tax credit/exemption and/or grant supporting ethanol use   ---
States with Residential Energy Codes No Residential Energy Codes   ---
States with Commercial Energy Codes 1999 ASHRAE or Later (ECPA Compliant)   ---
Green Building Standards for State Buildings LEED Required   ---
ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection Participant (US CCP) Yes ---
% of State Generation that is from Renewable sources (2003) 37.3%   5
Average percentage of possible sunshine thru 1998: Length of record (years) 54 years 18
Average percentage of Possible Sunshine: Annual 55% 37
Annual Average wind speed, m.p.h. 8.7 mph 37
January Average wind speed, m.p.h. 9.1 mph 38
July Average wind speed, m.p.h. 7.6 mph 37
Heating Degree Days 7,378 days 53
Cooling Degree Days 268 days 4
Average Relative Humidity (%), Length of record (years) 58 years 5
Annual Morning Average Relative Humidity (%) 79% 22
Annual Afternoon Average Relative Humidity (%) 59% 35
Elevation, feet 62 feet 20
 
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
BACKGROUND INFORMATION      
SIZE & CLASSIFICATION
City Population (2005)2 64,249 68** (of 72 in EDN study) 5.0% of state population
City Population (2000) 64,249 69 (of 72 in EDN study)  
State Population (2005)2 1,283,673 40 (of 51 in EDN study)  
General Region New England ---  
EPA Region 1 ---  
PHYSICAL QUALITIES
City Land Area, square miles 21.0 square miles 67 0.2% of state land area
State Land Area, square miles 30,865 square miles 39  
Watershed Name Presumpscot ---  
Elevation, feet 62 ft. (18.9 m) 35  
Average Daily Temperature - January 21.7°F (-5.7°C) 63
Average Daily Temperature - July 68.7°F (20.4°C) 7  
DEMOGRAPHIC SUMMARY
Median Age 35.7 years 29  
18 years and older, % of population (2004) 81.2% 4  
65 years and older, % of population (2004) 13.9% 7  
Under 5 years of age 3,305 kids (5.1% of total pop.) 70  
One Race-White % (2005) 91.3% 6  
One Race - Non-white % (2005) 8.7% 66  
Hispanic or Latino, of any race % (2005) 1.5% 69  
% of Population who Speak a non-English Language at Home (2004) 9.9% 52  
Largest School District Name Portland Public Schools ---  
 
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1 Use of the * within the County field indicates the city is in multiple counties. Typically the county for which the city serves as a county seat was selected.
2 Use of the * within the Population Rank Indicates year 2000 data was used since year 2004 data was not available.
3 Scores in parenthesis indicate partial scores, e.g. at least one scored indicator was not available or reported for this city.
4 SITES is an acronym developed by EDN as a summary for the 'Safety, Income, Transportation, Education and Sprawl' Topic.
 
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© 2006 Earth Day Network